Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“So, you’re saying she can extract the bullet from Sean’s heart?”
Given Dr. Bell’s presence, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Dr. Bell is assuredly one hundred percent certain she can do it.”
Derrick looked impressed. Indeed, Dr. Bell sure knows how to make a promise.
And just how stunning might she be under that mask?
Derrick knew a bit about Sean’s condition. Back when it happened, none of the top doctors at the hospital would guarantee a successful surgery. Yet, to his surprise, merely a few months later, they had Dr. Bell ready to operate on Sean.
“After the surgery, Sean can recuperate at my hospital with ease. I’ll ensure he gets the best room and top-notch care. I just want the guy back on his feet as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Mr. Finn,” Steward bowed in gratitude, “On behalf of Sean, and all our people, we appreciate your kindness.”
“Think nothing of it.”Three hours later.
The bullet that had lodged itself in Sean’s heart was finally removed.
According to the available records, there had only been five cases worldwide of a person surviving a gunshot to the heart. Sean was Solterra’s first.
“Dr. Bell’s expertise is truly remarkable.” Dr. Anne said excitedly. “There’s so much I’ve learned.”
“The same here. Sean is incredibly fortunate.” Dr. Doreen added, relieved. “That bullet had been in his heart for months, and yet he managed to live almost normally in that time.”
“The key thing is, Sean lived to be treated by Dr. Bell. Had it been with any of us, frankly, we wouldn’t have been as certain.”
“Now Sean can live without worries, nor the agonies of illness. Dr. Bell, how was Sean able to survive after being shot?” Dr. Doreen asked earnestly.
Mirabella responded coolly, “The bullet didn’t pierce the heart directly from the back of the chest cavity, but entered at an angle into the heart muscle. It didn’t penetrate the chamber or severely damage the blood vessels in the heart muscle. Instead, it was over time encapsulated by the heart tissue. That’s why Sean didn’t suffer a fatal hemorrhage and has survived to this point.”
“I figured as much,” Dr. Anne added. “Had it struck a major vessel, he wouldn’t have made it.”
Mirabella nodded, affirming that assessment.
“Dr. Bell, would you be willing to stay back to sign an autograph for me?”
“Dr. Bell, may I have a photo with you? Also, I have some quick questions if you wouldn’t mind, they shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”Mirabella agreed.
After the photo opportunity, autograph signings, and answering their questions, Mirabella removed her scrubs, sanitized her hands, and stepped out of the OR.
The doors to the OR swung open, and Dr. Anne and Dr. Doreen wheeled Sean out. Steward rushed forward, “Sean.”
“He’s still under anesthesia. He should come around in a couple of hours.”
Upon hearing Mirabella’s words, Steward and his crew gathered around her. “We apologize, Dr. Bell, but we need you to stay until Sean regains consciousness.”
“Do you really think a few guards can keep me here?”
“There’s been a misunderstanding. Your people asked us to arrange some food for you for your welcome. Please join the VIP suite to have some rest.”
Off to the side, Derrick couldn’t believe his eyes. The world-renowned Dr. Bell was in fact a strikingly beautiful and poised young lady. His heart surged into a rapid beat.
So young, yet already earned the esteemed title of Dr. Bell.
She was completely captivating.
Mirabella made her way into the VIP room, only to find Horace, legs crossed, lounging on the bed munching on potato chips.
“Ah, Boss, you’ve arrived?”
At the sight of Mirabella, Horace, his cheeks still puffed out tooting chips, urged with excitement: “These chips are divine. You should have some.”
The bodyguards in the room gazed at Mirabella with deep respect. After all, she was the savior who had saved their boss Sean’s life.
“Boss, is the surgery done? Sean’s still alive, isn’t he?” Horace queried.
“What do you think?”
“With Boss up to the task, of course he is! Hey!” Horace laughed, pressing a chip into Mirabella’s lips.
“They said we can’t leave until Sean comes around, right? Come sit by me. I’ve saved some special snacks just for you.”Mirabella was speechless.
Horace tore open another bag of chips and tossed it to the side. The bodyguards darted forward with bowls at the ready. Mirabella could tell Horace had his amusements; he had them working up a sweat even in the chilly winter.
. The passage of time went unnoticed.
One of the guards took a call and, after a whispered exchange, guns were suddenly drawn on Mirabella and Horace.
Horace, lording over the guards just a second ago, was now utterly dumbfounded as he found seven or eight men surrounded him and Mirabella. “What’s the meaning of this? You dare point guns at your boss Sean’s life-saver?”
The lead bodyguard responded with deference, “Boss Sean’s awake. He’s requested to see you.”
Horace hadn’t expected such a turn of events from Sean. With only two pieces of snacks left, he quickly popped one into Mirabella’s mouth and took the other for himself before moving to the VIP room next door.
On the hospital bed.
Sean lay half-reclined, his commanding allure and rogue charm as strong as ever, his intimidating presence unwavering.
He seemed not like a man fresh out of surgery, but rather like someone awakened from a restful sleep, his demeanor calm and collected.He smiled, looking at the pair before him, while all the bodyguards aimed their guns at them.
“Shall we talk now?” Sean asked Mirabella with a playful edge. “Why were you digging into Sam? And why are you so interested in that island?”
“You backstabber.” Horace was astounded. Sean was reneging on their deal. After all, Boss Bella had performed the surgery, and now Sean was double-crossing them.
“All’s fair in love and war,” Sean quipped with a more sinister smile, as if schooling a naive subordinate.
However, Mirabella too, formed her lips into a knowing smile. “I seem to have forgotten to mention, the prescription I gave your men earlier should have seventeen ingredients. But I listed only sixteen.”
Sean’s smile stiffened abruptly.
Steward and the rest of the bodyguards were taken aback, not expecting the girl to have an ace up her sleeve.
“As for the seventeenth ingredient, I’ll let you know once we’re safely out of here,” Mirabella continued smoothly.
Sean scoffed, “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“Right now, you don’t have much of a choice but to trust me, do you?” Mirabella shot back.
The operation was her doing, and without her insight for the follow-up treatment, how swiftly and how fully Sean would heal were all in her hands.
“This is what’s called ‘All’s fair in love and war’,” Mirabella smiled, tossing Sean’s own words back at him.
Sean’s smile turned even more devilish, likely not expecting the young lady to be so cunning. With a casual flick of his wrist, his men stood down, their weapons no longer pointed at them.
“Sean said he’d sell me the island,” Mirabella stated as she pulled out a contract from her bag and laid it on the hospital tray table. “I’ve already drawn up the agreement.”
Of course, she had to keep her true identity secret, so the signature on the document was Horace’s.
“Now it just needs Sean’s signature.”
As she spoke, Mirabella placed a check on the tray table, “Here are the five million dollars.”
All duly noted with the date and amount.
“All Sean has to do is write his name on the ‘pay to the order of’ line, and then he can cash it at the bank.”
“Hmm.”
Sean couldn’t help but chuckle with a playful interest, seemingly surprised that the young lady was so well-prepared. “And what if I refuse to sign?”
“Then there’s no guarantee for your follow-up treatment,” Mirabella reminded him bluntly, “What if the seventeenth ingredient for your treatment slips my mind, or if you suffer complications after surgery, or need an additional operation to remove blood clots from your heart?”. After all, no doctor could guarantee a cure.
Steward hadn’t anticipated Mirabella daring to use the prescription as leverage over Sean. But what really threw them was realizing that indeed, they had no way to counter her.
“Pass me the pen.”
Sean maintained a carefree smile, looking more like a tiger toying with a kitten than a man at Mirabella’s mercy.
Reluctantly, Steward uncapped the pen and handed it to Sean. He watched as Sean swiftly signed his name.
In the next instant, Mirabella snatched the contract away.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” Mirabella said as she turned to leave.
Sean gestured his men to open the door for her, and the whole room observed as Mirabella and her entourage left unobstructed.
“Mirabella, you’re incredible,” Horace looked at Mirabella with undisguised admiration. “No wonder you said after the surgery, you’d have a way to get me out.”
Mirabella was the epitome of reassurance!
In the hospital room.